Full Length Research Paper

Evaluation of the anti-fertility activity of stem bark of Crataeva nurvala buch-hum

Bhaskar, V. H.¹*, Profulla, Kumar M.², Balakrishnan, B. R.² Balakrishnan, N.³ and Sangameswaran, B.²

¹M.P. Patel College of Pharmacy, Kapadwanji, Gujarat - 387 620, India.

²Medicinal Plant Research Centre, Vinayaka Mission’s College of Pharmacy. Vinayaka Missions University, Salem 636 008, Tamil Nadu, India.

³Technocrats Institute of Technology - Pharmacy, Bhopal- 462 021(M.P), India.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: vhbhaskar@yahoo.co.in.

Accepted 22 May, 2009

   Abstract

The ethanol and aqueous extracts of the dried stem bark of the plant Crataeva nurvala Buch-Hum (Capparidaceae) have been found to possess significant anti-fertility effects in rats. Both ethanol and aqueous extracts exhibited partial and complete resorption of implants at 300 and 600 mg/kg b.wt dose levels, respectively. In estrogenic activity study, both the extracts increased uterine weight and caused opening and cornification of vagina in immature rats. The present work justifies its effectiveness in preventing pregnancy in all rats at dose levels.

Key words: Anti-fertility, anti-implantation, aqueous and ethanol extracts, Crataeva nurvala.